The benefits of buying an investment property include:

  •  Ownership of a secure asset

  •  The future sale and benefiting from capital gains

  •  Rental income to cover loan repayments and other associated expenses

  •  Building equity

  •  Taxation benefits

Four main factors to consider when you decide to purchase an investment property is property type, location, growth and demand.

Property type

You should consider the type of property you would like to purchase and which will meet your budget and goals. The type of property that you decide on will determine the level of rental income you can receive and may change depending on the upfront and ongoing costs.

Location

When choosing an investment property it's location, location, location! Will the property value increase over time? Will it provide you with adequate income? Other factors to consider also include proximity to public transport, schools, childcare, shopping facilities and parking. These are important to attract tenants.

Growth

Consider how the potential investment property has performed over the previous decade and how it's likely to do in the future. Do some research of property prices in the suburb and surrounds. It would also be beneficial to consider the population growth, property prices and potential rental income of the area. Also consider new property and off-the-plan developments which may impact future rental income.

Demand

In relation to growth, demand is vital for investors. You don’t want to purchase an investment property in an unpopular area or without the features that tenants are looking for. Features high in demand are internal laundries, balconies, parking spots & lock-up garages, built-in cupboards and good storage space. Also consider any renovations that may be necessary and could potentially add value to the property.

To see how much your repayments will be use our Loan Repayment Calculator, or use our Borrowing Power Calculator to see how much you could comfortably borrow. Better still, have a chat with one of our lending specialists. They'll be able to take you through options, help you calculate how much you can afford and help prepare you to take your next steps.

Get in touch with Horizon Bank today about our investment loans.

The content in this article has been prepared by Horizon Bank for general information only and it is not intended to be professional advice. It does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. You should seek your own legal, accounting, financial or other professional advice where appropriate, and consider the relevant Product Disclosure Statement and Terms and Conditions before deciding whether to acquire any products or services offered by Horizon Bank and/or its affiliated partners. We do not recommend any third party products or services referred to in this article unless otherwise stated and we are not liable in relation to them. Any links to third party websites are for your information and we do not endorse any content on those sites. Horizon Credit Union Ltd ABN 66 087 650 173 AFSL and Australian Credit Licence Number 240573 trading as Horizon Bank.